New Google Maps! Get it NAO!

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...interface-refresh-functionality-enhancements/

Here ya go! What's interesting is the new route overview where it shows the map and the route line looks awfully like iOS maps. I think it's the beveled edge Google added to the blue route line instead of the flat line from before... That was my first observation.

Anyway, overall it looks like we're moving to the new Google Maps look. The look of the new Google Maps isn't necessarily better, but it seems the biggest difference is the highways are more orange. Seems to stand out a bit better? Haha.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Sideload them apks people, don't worry, cryptographic keys will ensure they're legit.

 

[bearxor]

If it takes design cues from Apple's Maps app then I'm all for it. IMO, Apple's Maps App is superior to Google Maps, if we're just discussing the interface.

 

[swanysto]

I wish it would just stay the same. I like the simplicity. I don't want that cartoonish look.

 

[VashHT]

I'm liking it so far, it's very close to the iOS version of maps. The only thing I don't like is that you can't tap your location to see accuracy anymore.

 

[rcpratt]

It definitely has more of an iOS look, which I'm not happy about. The previous design was superior to iOS in every way. If anything, it seems to me that the roads/traffic/navigation/etc. lines are less clear than they were before (which was a complaint of mine with iOS maps).

I guess we'll see if any of the new functionality grows on me.

 

[dagamer34]

It definitely has more of an iOS look, which I'm not happy about. The previous design was superior to iOS in every way. If anything, it seems to me that the roads/traffic/navigation/etc. lines are less clear than they were before (which was a complaint of mine with iOS maps).

I guess we'll see if any of the new functionality grows on me.

New Google Maps for Android is more in line with Google Maps beta for web than the iOS version in terms of how the actual tiles look. They are adaptive to what you are searching emphasizing some roads over others (for example, when looking at directions from your home to a mall, it will reduce emphasis on residential side streets by dimming them).

 

[Yuriman]

New maps runs a bit slower than the old maps, unsurprisingly. Probably not an issue on faster devices.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

So I like the description and how it says that dynamic traffic rerouting will be used. I think they always had this capability, but I wonder why they're finally doing this now. Probably a Waze thing.

 

[vshah]

So I like the description and how it says that dynamic traffic rerouting will be used. I think they always had this capability, but I wonder why they're finally doing this now. Probably a Waze thing.

pretty sure gmaps nav has done it for a while, it just never notified you in any way.

edit: i miss labs. i used measure all the time.

 

[WelshBloke]

Have they killed off line maps with this update?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

pretty sure gmaps nav has done it for a while, it just never notified you in any way.

edit: i miss labs. i used measure all the time.

I've done comparisons with Waze. Granted this was back in Jan/Feb when I had to rush to the airport several times, but Maps would tell me to go the stupid way straight down the highway, but Waze would promise me 15 minutes savings by exiting to local roads.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

Does it finally let you drag the route to go through a particular location like you can do on the web? Tired of not being able to force the route I want without having it recalculate (assuming I have data connection to do so, which is far from a given in my area

 

[vshah]

I've done comparisons with Waze. Granted this was back in Jan/Feb when I had to rush to the airport several times, but Maps would tell me to go the stupid way straight down the highway, but Waze would promise me 15 minutes savings by exiting to local roads.

heh. didn't say it did it well :awe:

 

[Midwayman]

Hmm the text labels on it appear mirrored horizontal. When I tilt, it goes the wrong way. Looks like they may have accidently put the camera under ground.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Typical Google:

(From Reddit)

Still want my measure tool back from labs.

and for my menu button to open the menus.

and streetview in navigation.

and a way to manage cached maps.

but it's a start, and a sign they're listening. =)

EDIT: and for my search button to open search!

 

[aceO07]

Have they killed off line maps with this update?

YES. I didn't update, but I've read the recent articles about it. Never going to update until they bring offline maps back.

Offline maps made it extremely easy for me to go on vacations out of the country. I don't need to get data plan. I just use GPS and offline maps and wifi when at hotel.

There is still a offline maps option hidden in the latest version, but it seems likes it is very limiting and not as easy to use.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

YES. I didn't update, but I've read the recent articles about it. Never going to update until they bring offline maps back.

Offline maps made it extremely easy for me to go on vacations out of the country. I don't need to get data plan. I just use GPS and offline maps and wifi when at hotel.

There is still a offline maps option hidden in the latest version, but it seems likes it is very limiting and not as easy to use.

Its. The Exact. Same. Thing.

You type "ok maps" and it caches the area your screen is on.

 

[WelshBloke]

Its. The Exact. Same. Thing.

I don't think that it is. With the old offline maps I could download 5 or so large areas. With the new version you are limited to 1 smaller area aren't you?

Saying that the old offline maps was pretty flaky for me, it always seems to lose the map data for some reason. It was never a great alternative to a proper off line gps mapping app.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

I don't supposed they've fixed it so Navigation will calculate a route without a connection?

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't supposed they've fixed it so Navigation will calculate a route without a connection?

I doubt it. Google nav/maps isn't and never was an offline app. There were ways of mitigating the need to be online but they were always a bit sub par.
Hopefully Google will concentrate on making it the best online mapping experience and leave the offline stuff to a different app.

 

[alangrift]

I like the new maps, but it seems a bit slower on my phone. Don't know why...

 

[VashHT]

It definitely seems a bit slower on my phone too (N4), hopefully they can polish it up a bit.

 

[vshah]

I doubt it. Google nav/maps isn't and never was an offline app. There were ways of mitigating the need to be online but they were always a bit sub par.
Hopefully Google will concentrate on making it the best online mapping experience and leave the offline stuff to a different app.

the biggest obstacle is that route calculation has always happened on google's servers. they'd need to port that process to the phones. technically there's nothing that would allow them not to do it. i hope they do some day, but as you say it's not a priority for them or me due to other offline nav apps being available.

 

[QueBert]

Sweet baby Jebus, I thought my Nexus 4 ran hot with Nav open before, Now it seems quiet a bit hotter. I had my phone plugged into my car charger and was driving with a Nav going, it shut down after about 60 seconds, anyone else having this problem? Before I could get 4-5 minutes depending on how warm it was outside and what the temp was inside of my car.